Editorial: Frontier Airlines expansion at Trenton-Mercer Airport is promising sign with flights set to resume

With less than a month remaining before improvements to Trenton-Mercer Airport are complete and Frontier Airlines resumes flights, the low-cost carrier made a promising announcement.

Frontier will start offering flights two more destinations -- Cincinnati and Charlotte -- early next year, expanding the total round-trip options to 11 cities. The growth has been encouraging considering Frontier launched operations at the Ewing airport less than a year ago with just two flights a week to Orlando.

There is good reason to look for hints of direction by Frontier. The Denver-based airline was just sold to private-equity firm Indigo Partners for $36 million. In addition, Frontier was forced to suspend its flights, and surrender some momentum, for two months while Trenton-Mercer Airport undergoes a $4 million construction project to improve the passenger terminal, taxiways, roads and parking facilities.

Frontier, it seems, is counting on picking up right where it left off.

“As we gear up for the grand re-opening of an improved Trenton-Mercer Airport on Nov. 8, we eagerly welcome back Frontier, its loyal customers and all those who are excited to fly Frontier at Trenton-Mercer,” Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes said in response to the additions of Cincinnati and Charlotte destinations.

The allure of Trenton-Mercer Airport is convenience and price. For central New Jersey residents, it’s a closer option than the airports in Philadelphia, Newark or New York. Security lines are shorter. Parking is currently free. Add that to competitive flight prices and it makes good sense for local consumers.

Some changes may be coming that would alter that equation. The Mercer County freeholders recently voted to institute a parking fee -- though significantly lower than nearby airports -- to help cover costs of the upgrades. In addition, the new ownership for Frontier is led by William Franke, who has pushed the charge toward low ticket costs bolstered by fees for baggage, seat selection and other items. In a region with multiple options, savvy consumers will likely follow the best deal.

Frontier’s rapid expansion of flight options signals a strong commitment to Trenton-Mercer Airport and local air travelers. We wish them continued success.